Mumbai 'Resort'ing to change

The month of December will see the city hosting another fashion week — this time, exclusively of resortwear.

The third edition of India Resortwear Fashion Week (IRFW) will see well-known designers Falguni and Shane Peacock, Masaba, Pria Kataria Puri, Surily Goel, Rocky S, Archana Kochhar and others, present the latest in resort wear from December 12 to 14 at a suburban five-star hotel. And what’ll be paraded this season is a re-imagining in a sense, of what resortwear is about, and stretching its accepted definition.

Archana Kochhar’s collection, for instance, will see ensembles for “resort weddings”, which consists of kurtas, tunics and even anarkalis. “My resortwear collection caters to resort weddings — something that is a growing trend. It ranges from lightweight tunics, open button shirts dresses and airy kurtas, which are paired with, hot bikinis underneath. These further flow into light and sheer anarkalis suited for resort wear.”

Pria Kataria Puri, who will open the IRFW, is another designer who has included ensembles for the upcoming festive season in her resortwear collection called Lust 2013-2014. Pria says she’s adding festive embellishments like antique gold lace and ornamental belts (she describes them as “never-seenbefore belts”) to impart a feminine look to the line.

“My IRFW collection will be more casual with a bohemian feel, lots of palazzo pants and blouses, capris and no gowns at all; but the collection will represent very high-end fashion. The silhouettes will be stunning and perfect for the coming Christmas and New Year festivities, a way to celebrate the spirit of joy and life,” the designer says.

While resortwear may conjure images of skimpy bikinis and slinky wraps and loungewear, there is definitely an emphasis this season on comfort and wearable fashion.

IRFW designer Sounia Gohil says she’s focused on maintaining a relaxed feel for her line and that “loose jumpsuits and brightly printed shirts will rule the season”.

Pria agrees that “hassle-free” clothing is definitely the focus this season. “These include kaftans, jump-suits, bright coloured pyjamas, neon pants, bold printed shirts and sheer tops,” she says.

While some designers are “testing the waters” in a way, with what they can bring under the resortwear ambit, there are those who’re keeping their inspirations and influences rather more literal as well.

Sai Suman, for instance, has turned to underwater life for her IRFW line. “The silhouettes have the ‘diva element’ and are yet easy-to-wear and very comfortable. The silhouettes range from jumpsuits, drape dresses, dresses, kaftans with the prints in the collection bringing the aquatic world alive,” explains Sai.

What designers are hoping to do by pushing the accepted notions of resortwear is tap the market for it further. “Like I mentioned, resort and destination weddings are definitely part of the Indian (outlook). Resortwear that recognises and caters to this has the potential to propagate. It could grow to be equivalent to the market for resortwear in the West,” says Archana.

Sounia adds that there’s a lot more to explore in the resortwear segment.

“This is a burgeoning market and still in its infancy,” she says. “But young Indians are taking to the trend with a lot of enthusiasm.”